Consumers already worn down by a prolonged surge in prices are bracing for fresh pressure — and this time, it is coming from copper.

Copper prices have surged past $12,000 per metric ton for the first time ever, hitting a record high on the London Metal Exchange and unleashing a new wave of inflationary pressure across the economy.

The rally reflects a volatile mix of trade uncertainty, supply tightness, and rising demand — increasingly putting everyday products in the firing line.

Tariffs fuel the surge

Prices have been pushed higher in part by tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump, who in August slapped a 50% duty on semi-finished copper products and certain copper derivatives under national security authorities.

While refined copper — which accounts for roughly half of US imports — remains exempt for now, the measures have already disrupted global trade flows and tightened supply for US manufacturers.

The impact was amplified by front-loaded buying earlier this year, as buyers rushed to stockpile copper ahead of the tariffs taking effect on August 1. That scramble drained available inventories and drove prices higher worldwide, pushing copper to record levels even as demand in China, the world’s largest copper consumer, has softened.

The problem goes beyond tariffs

Tariffs are only part of the story.

Copper prices were already under pressure after years of underinvestment left the industry short of new mines. At the same time, demand has surged as copper use expands in electric vehicles, power grid upgrades, renewable energy projects, and data centers.

With few new projects capable of coming online in the near term, analysts say copper prices are likely to stay elevated — and consumers are already feeling the effects.

A direct hit to households

Copper runs through nearly every modern home, from electrical wiring and plumbing to heating and cooling systems.

Industry estimates suggest rewiring a home typically costs between $6,000 and $18,000, and can reach $30,000 in larger or older properties — a burden that has become heavier as copper prices climb.

Contractors say rising copper costs are already inflating bids for electrical panel upgrades, outlet installations, and renovation projects, especially in kitchens and bathrooms.

Household appliances under strain

Major household appliances are also feeling the squeeze. Refrigerators, washing machines, dryers, dishwashers, and air conditioners rely heavily on copper for motors, compressors, and coils.

A single washing machine can contain between one and two pounds of copper, while larger appliances use even more. As raw material costs rise, manufacturers often respond by raising prices, cutting promotions, or downgrading specifications in lower-end models.

Cars — and EVs even more exposed

Vehicles are another pressure point. A conventional gasoline-powered car contains roughly 50 to 55 pounds of copper, while electric vehicles use far more — often between 150 and 200 pounds — due to high-voltage wiring, battery systems, and electric motors.

That makes EV pricing particularly sensitive to copper costs, complicating automakers’ efforts to make electric vehicles more affordable for consumers.

Electronics not immune

Even electronics are not spared. Smartphones typically contain 15 to 30 grams of copper, while desktop computers can include more than two pounds.

Although the amount per device may seem small, the scale of global production means higher copper prices still squeeze manufacturers, especially in lower-priced segments of the market.

Potential impact on electricity bills

Utilities could also feel the strain over the medium term. Copper is a critical component of power grids and electrical infrastructure, and higher costs could eventually feed into electricity delivery prices as utilities upgrade systems to support electric vehicles and renewable energy.

In short, with copper prices holding at historic highs, the impact is set to ripple from global markets into the details of everyday life — adding yet another burden for consumers worldwide.

Bitcoin fell on Tuesday, ending a brief recovery rally, as traders remained cautious toward cryptocurrencies, while anticipation of key US economic data added to broader risk-off sentiment.

Bitcoin dropped 2.6% to $87,655.0 as of 08:42 AM US Eastern Time (13:42 GMT). The world’s largest cryptocurrency had recovered earlier this week to around the $90,000 level before retreating again on Tuesday.

Broader cryptocurrency prices also pulled back after a short-lived rebound, although losses remained relatively limited amid thin trading volumes due to year-end holidays.

Bitcoin’s recovery stalls ahead of US data

Bitcoin’s recent recovery was partly weighed down by caution ahead of major US economic data due later on Tuesday.

Third-quarter gross domestic product data are expected to show a slight slowdown in growth compared with the previous quarter, particularly amid volatile consumer spending and fading labor market momentum.

Markets are also awaiting the release of October personal consumption expenditures (PCE) data, the Federal Reserve’s preferred inflation gauge.

Any further signs of a cooling US economy, especially on the inflation front, could open the door for additional interest rate cuts by the Federal Reserve.

However, analysts cautioned that December and fourth-quarter economic data are likely to be more indicative of underlying US economic conditions, as October and November readings may have been distorted by the effects of a prolonged government shutdown.

Strategy pauses Bitcoin purchases, boosts cash reserves

Strategy Inc (NASDAQ: MSTR), the world’s largest corporate holder of Bitcoin, has paused its cryptocurrency purchases in recent weeks and increased its cash reserves, signaling preparation for a potential downturn in crypto prices.

In a regulatory filing, the company said it raised $748 million in the week ended December 21, without purchasing any Bitcoin during that period. Earlier in December, the firm had bought nearly $2 billion worth of Bitcoin, lifting its total holdings to 671,268 Bitcoin.

The company’s shares have declined in recent months, amid growing concerns over the long-term viability of its Bitcoin-focused strategy.

Earlier in December, Strategy was reported to have set aside a $1.4 billion reserve to cover future dividend payments and interest obligations tied to its multiple capital commitments, amid fears that continued declines in Bitcoin prices could force the company to sell part of its holdings to meet those obligations.

The company’s core equity market capitalization has fallen by about 50% during 2025, with pressure intensifying after the stock was excluded from inclusion in a major MSCI index.

Cryptocurrency prices today: altcoins fall alongside Bitcoin

Broader cryptocurrency prices halted their recent recovery and moved lower in line with Bitcoin.

Ether, the world’s second-largest cryptocurrency, fell 3.7% to $2,941.48. BNB slipped 1.7% to $848.51, while XRP dropped 2.2% to $1.88.

Oil prices were largely steady on Tuesday, as markets weighed the possibility that the United States could sell Venezuelan oil it has seized against rising concerns over supply disruptions following Ukrainian attacks on Russian ships and ports.

Brent crude futures rose 6 cents to $62.13 per barrel by 12:21 GMT, while US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude edged up 2 cents to $58.03 per barrel.

Prices had climbed more than 2% on Monday, with Brent posting its biggest daily gain in two months, while WTI recorded its largest rise since November 14.

“The market appears to be caught between bearish factors linked to abundant supply and the latest supply-side concerns stemming from the US blockade that is reducing Venezuelan oil loadings and exports, as well as the exchange of strikes between Russia and Ukraine that targeted ships and ports late on Monday,” said Janiv Shah, an analyst at Rystad.

US President Donald Trump said on Monday that the United States may keep or sell the oil it has seized off the coast of Venezuela in recent weeks, as part of measures that include imposing a “blockade” on sanctioned oil tankers entering or leaving the South American country.

Barclays said in a note dated Monday that oil markets are expected to remain oversupplied during the first half of 2026. However, the bank added that the surplus is projected to narrow to about 700,000 barrels per day in the fourth quarter of 2026, noting that any prolonged supply disruption could lead to tighter market conditions.

On the ground, Russian forces shelled Ukraine’s Black Sea port of Odesa late on Monday, damaging port facilities and a vessel, marking the second attack on the area in less than 24 hours. In response, Ukrainian drone attacks damaged two ships and two piers and sparked a fire in a village in Russia’s Krasnodar region.

Ukraine has also targeted Russia’s maritime logistics infrastructure, focusing on oil tankers belonging to the so-called “shadow fleet,” which is used to circumvent sanctions imposed on Russia.

The USD/JPY pair fell 0.75% to around the 155.80 level during European trading on Tuesday. The pair is under heavy selling pressure amid broad weakness in the US dollar, as expectations grow that the Federal Reserve will implement deeper interest rate cuts in 2026 than those signaled in its monetary policy statement issued on December 17.

At the time of writing, the US dollar index (DXY), which tracks the greenback against six major currencies, was hovering near an 11-week low at around 97.85.

The CME FedWatch tool showed a 73.8% probability that the Federal Reserve will cut interest rates by at least 50 basis points next year. This contrasts with the Fed’s dot plot released last week, where policymakers collectively projected the federal funds rate to fall to 3.4% from its current range of 3.50%–3.75%, implying just one rate cut in 2026.

Dovish expectations for the Fed have been reinforced by signs of weakness in the labor market, as well as indications from a series of recent consumer price index (CPI) reports showing that the impact of tariffs on inflation has been limited.

Looking ahead, the preliminary third-quarter gross domestic product (GDP) report will be the next key catalyst for US dollar movements, scheduled for release at 13:30 GMT. Investors will closely watch the data for fresh signals on the resilience of the current economic backdrop.

Meanwhile, the yen’s outperformance added significant pressure on the pair following warnings of potential Japanese intervention in the foreign exchange market. Japanese Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama issued the remarks to support the currency against what she described as excessive and one-sided moves.

Earlier in the day, Katayama said that “Japan has full freedom to deal with excessive movements in the yen,” adding that the government would take “appropriate action against exaggerated moves.”